Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the issue of unemployment during the Legislative Council session, taking a direct swipe at the leader of opposition. He questioned the Samajwadi Party’s governance, pointing out that during its tenure, the unemployment rate stood at 17%, whereas today it has dropped to 3%, a clear indication that employment opportunities have significantly increased.
Highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s vast potential, CM Yogi stated, “Employment-related programmes are being implemented at various levels. UP is a state with infinite possibilities. It boasts the best agricultural land, a strong MSME sector, abundant water resources, a well-connected rail network, the largest population, and the highest youth power. Where do you intend to take a state with such advantages?”
Taking a dig at the SP’s misgovernance, he reminded that under their rule, farmers were driven to suicide, youth migrated for jobs, and law and order had collapsed.
“Riots took place every other day. Who would invest in a state where neither security nor capital was safe?” he asked.
Exposing the SP’s “flawed policies”, CM Yogi said that the party spent Rs 15 crore just to organise an event for distributing Rs 20 crore as unemployment allowance.
Stressing the importance of connectivity as the backbone of industrial investment, he asserted that under the double-engine government, UP has achieved excellent connectivity via water, land, and air. He recalled that Uttar Pradesh was once considered a landlocked state, limiting its export potential, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Waterways-1 was launched between Haldia and Varanasi, opening new avenues for trade and logistics.
Highlighting the state’s strategic connectivity advantage, CM Yogi emphasised that the junction of the Eastern and Western Freight Corridors is located in UP, further strengthening its industrial and logistical framework.
Discussing UP’s expressway dominance, the CM stated that with the completion of the Ganga Expressway, 55% of the country's expressways will be in UP.
The state already boasts the largest rail network, the most metro cities, India’s first rapid rail system, and the 12-lane expressway between Delhi and Meerut.
The chief minister stated that to enhance industrial investment and strengthen logistics, the government has established the Inland Waterway Authority.
He further announced that the budget includes provisions for new expressways, with funds allocated for the construction of an expressway connecting the Ganga Expressway to the Agra-Lucknow Expressway via Farrukhabad. He further announced a Rs 700 crore budgetary provision for the construction of two bridges in Prayagraj, including a Signature Bridge in Naini and another parallel to the Shastri Bridge.